Summary Report on Canadian and American Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives for the Reduction of Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Final Report. February 2005

Summary Report on Canadian and American Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives for the Reduction of Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Final Report. February 2005 PDF Author: Alberta. Department of Environment
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 45

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Mercury Emissions to the Air

Mercury Emissions to the Air PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Air
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
On December 15, 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed standards for emissions of mercury from coal-fired electric power plants, under the authority of Sections 111 and 112 of the Clean Air Act. (The proposal appeared in the Federal Register January 30, 2004.) In their first phase, the standards could require a 29% reduction in emissions by 2008 or 2010, depending on the regulatory option chosen. A nearly 70% reduction would take effect in 2018, although EPA indicates that flexibility built into the proposed standards could delay the full 70% reduction to as late as 2030. EPA's analysis of the proposed rule indicates that its benefits would outweigh the compliance costs by a factor of at least 16 to 1, leading many critics of the proposal to ask why the regulations should not be more stringent, or implemented more quickly. The Agency's official position is that technology will not be available to achieve reductions greater than 30% until after 2010. EPA's own Office of Research and Development (ORD) appears to disagree, however. A recent ORD white paper found that reductions of 72% - 98%, depending on coal type, are already being achieved at some plants using current technology. Other issues likely to be raised in the public comment period, which extends until June 29, include the impacts on eastern coal production and the effect of the proposals on mercury "hot spots." In addition to EPA's regulatory effort, in the current Congress nine bills have been introduced to regulate these emissions. An Administration bill, the "Clear Skies Act," has many points in common with the EPA regulatory proposal. The other bills before Congress are generally more stringent than the Administration's approach. These regulatory and legislative proposals reflect increasing concern over the potential health effects of mercury emissions. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect human health at very low concentrations. EPA considers children born to women with umbilical cord blood-mercury concentrations above 5.8 parts per billion to be at increased risk for adverse health effects, such as delayed development, neurological defects, and mental retardation. Recent EPA studies conclude that at least 7.8% (and possibly as many as 15.7%) of American women of child-bearing age have blood mercury levels above this threshold. U.S. air emissions of mercury come from eight principal sources. Of these, the largest source, and the last major source for which emission standards have been proposed, is coal-fired electric power plants. Coal-fired power plants account for between one-third and one-half of total U.S. mercury emissions. This report provides background on mercury and reviews regulatory and legislative proposals to reduce emissions of mercury to the air. CRS Report RL32203 and CRS Report RL31908 discuss legal issues raised by EPA's proposed rules and mercury in products and waste, respectively. This report will be updated as warranted.

Our Common Future

Our Common Future PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780195531916
Category : Australia
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America's Future

Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America's Future PDF Author: United States. National Energy Policy Development Group
Publisher: Group Publishing (Company)
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Estimating the Public Health Benefits of Proposed Air Pollution Regulations

Estimating the Public Health Benefits of Proposed Air Pollution Regulations PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309086094
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 187

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Book Description
EPA estimates that thousands of premature deaths and cases of illnesses may be avoided by reducing air pollution. At the request of Congress, this report reviews the scientific basis of EPA's methods used in estimating the public health benefits from its air pollution regulations.

Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk

Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk PDF Author: Suzanne H. Reuben
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437934218
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
Though overall cancer incidence and mortality have continued to decline in recent years, cancer continues to devastate the lives of far too many Americans. In 2009 alone, 1.5 million American men, women, and children were diagnosed with cancer, and 562,000 died from the disease. There is a growing body of evidence linking environmental exposures to cancer. The Pres. Cancer Panel dedicated its 2008¿2009 activities to examining the impact of environmental factors on cancer risk. The Panel considered industrial, occupational, and agricultural exposures as well as exposures related to medical practice, military activities, modern lifestyles, and natural sources. This report presents the Panel¿s recommend. to mitigate or eliminate these barriers. Illus.

Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States

Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States PDF Author: U.S. Global Change Research Program
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521144078
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
Summarizes the science of climate change and impacts on the United States, for the public and policymakers.

Coal Energy Systems

Coal Energy Systems PDF Author: Bruce G. Miller
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0124974511
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
A Volume in the Sustainable World Series, Richard C. Dorf, Series Editor Coal is currently a major energy source in the United States as well as throughout the world, especially among many developing countries, and will continue to be so for many years. Fossil fuels will continue to be the dominant energy source for fueling the United States economy, with coal playing a major role for decades. Coal provides stability in price and availability, will continue to be a major source of electricity generation, will be the major source of hydrogen for the coming hydrogen economy, and has the potential to become an important source of liquid fuels. Conservation and renewable/sustainable energy are important in the overall energy picture, but will play a lesser role in helping us satisfy our energy demands. This book is a single source covering many coal-related subjects of interest ranging from explaining what coal is, where it is distributed and quantities it can be found in throughout the world, technical and policy issues regarding the use of coal, technologies used and under development for utilizing coal to produce heat, electricity, and chemicals with low environmental impact, vision for utilizing coal well into the 21st century, and the security coal presents. Key Features: ·A single-source reference for the energy professional, policy maker, and those interested in learning about the value of coal as an energy source that covers many aspects of coal and its use. ·Provides a comprehensive discussion of technical and policy issues regarding the use of coal. ·Presents coal's increasing role in providing energy security to the United States and other countries. ·Gives an up-to-date review of current energy usage, environmental issues, clean coal technologies under development, and policy factors affecting the use of coal. ·Addresses misconceptions of coal usage by illustrating that it can be used in an environmentally-friendly manner. Related Titles: Technology, Humans, and Society: Toward a Sustainable World. Richard C. Dorf, 2001. 0-12-221090-5 Wind Power in View: Energy Landscapes in a Crowded World. Martin J. Pasqualetti, Paul Gipe, Robert W. Righter, 2002. 0-12-546334-0

Hidden Costs of Energy

Hidden Costs of Energy PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309155800
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
Despite the many benefits of energy, most of which are reflected in energy market prices, the production, distribution, and use of energy causes negative effects. Many of these negative effects are not reflected in energy market prices. When market failures like this occur, there may be a case for government interventions in the form of regulations, taxes, fees, tradable permits, or other instruments that will motivate recognition of these external or hidden costs. The Hidden Costs of Energy defines and evaluates key external costs and benefits that are associated with the production, distribution, and use of energy, but are not reflected in market prices. The damage estimates presented are substantial and reflect damages from air pollution associated with electricity generation, motor vehicle transportation, and heat generation. The book also considers other effects not quantified in dollar amounts, such as damages from climate change, effects of some air pollutants such as mercury, and risks to national security. While not a comprehensive guide to policy, this analysis indicates that major initiatives to further reduce other emissions, improve energy efficiency, or shift to a cleaner electricity generating mix could substantially reduce the damages of external effects. A first step in minimizing the adverse consequences of new energy technologies is to better understand these external effects and damages. The Hidden Costs of Energy will therefore be a vital informational tool for government policy makers, scientists, and economists in even the earliest stages of research and development on energy technologies.

Critical Materials Strategy

Critical Materials Strategy PDF Author: Steven Chu
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437944183
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
This report examines the role of rare earth metals and other materials in the clean energy economy. It was prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) based on data collected and research performed during 2010. In the report, DoE describes plans to: (1) develop its first integrated research agenda addressing critical materials, building on three technical workshops convened by the DoE during November and December 2010; (2) strengthen its capacity for information-gathering on this topic; and (3) work closely with international partners, including Japan and Europe, to reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions and address critical material needs. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.